Monday, May 23, 2016

'16 Strawberry Festival & Quilt Show

Before the Grand Feature Parade

This past week the 2016 Strawberry Festival was well underway in good old sunny Buckhannon, West Virginia...mostly minus the sun.  But that did not stop the die hard locals from venturing out into the chilly rain to watch their beloved parades and gorge themselves on ripe sweet strawberries.  The Jr. Royalty Parade began the official festivities on Thursday evening, show casing homemade floats, the cutest little twirlers, marching bands and various other parade necessities.  The quilt show also opened.

Our mighty Buckhannon Upshur Band


Friday evening brings the Fireman's Parade packed full of all types of emergency vehicles blowing their sirens and honking horns (they hand out ear plugs before the parade starts) and children running around in plastic fireman's hats dreaming about the day they will become heroes and save the world.  The parade is followed by a block party on main street where you can run into just about anyone and listen to local talent perform at various spots along the streets.

Street picture from Friday Night Block Party

I got hubby to pose with the new house pet



Then Saturday kicks off the Grand Feature Parade, which is packed full of a little bit of everything (also followed by another block party).

2016 Strawberry Queen and her minor court

2016 Strawberry King and his minor court
Lets not forget that for the entire week the carnival sets up and takes over the town.


And food.  Don't get me started on all the food...EVERYWHERE


Now that I've introduced you to our week of crazy, let's talk a bit about the quilt show.  I ventured down to the show Friday night to see how everyone did.  I was happy to see that lots of ladies within our guild placed in their categories...including me.  I entered a total of five quilts, three of which placed.

First up is my Hello Darling Building Blocks Baby Quilt (read about the making here).  The pattern is by Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs and is a free pattern on Moda Bake Shop.  I was completely floored to find that it had taken 1st place in the baby quilts category.  


Next up, is Dog Gone Cute (read about the making here).  The pattern is by Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts.  This quilt ended up winning two awards.  The quilt judge isn't the only one to hand out awards for the quilts.  The Strawberry Court (kings and queens) and Festival President also get to award their favorite quilts.


These cute little Boston Terrier inspired puppies took 3rd place in the large wall hanging category and was also the Teen Queen's Choice.

I feel like these ribbons do not just belong to me.  They also belong to Cheryl and Lorna as well.  We did it ladies!!!  Without them putting in the hard work of designing these patterns, I would not have had anything to make.  The ribbons are cool, but having a friendship with the pattern writers and being able to share it with them, is the best part...hands down.

And last but not least, was my wall hanging Decoy.  It received 2nd place in the medium wall hanging category.  


The pattern is from 101 Fabulous Small Quilts, one of my favorite books for finding small projects.  So now it's time to get busy for next year.  

During the quilt show, our guild also begins selling tickets for our raffle quilt.  The raffle quilt is even more special to me this year.  It is made from fabric left over from my friend Courtney's grandmother's stash.  I was lucky to get a picture of Courtney with her mother and aunt with the quilt. 


We are calling the quilt Beulah's Jewel Box in honor of her grandmother.  I think Mrs. Carver would be proud of the quilt we made with her stash.

Our guild also runs a boutique with different homemade items donated by guild members.  I donated three table runners, you may remember them from this post.  Courtney and I had a good laugh, because her mom ended up purchasing one of the runners.  She was drawn to the beautiful colors and laughed when she found out that I had made it.


It always makes you feel good when you know it's in good hands.

While my daughter hung out with friends during the Saturday night block party, I got to spend some time with Courtney and her family (if you aren't laughing and having fun with these people...something is wrong).  I was able to hand deliver a table runner I made using her grandmother's stash...

Courtney and I.  Sorry for the fizzy been in the rain all day hair.

and enjoy some good laughs and conversation while chowing down on the prize winning berries grown by Courtney's mom's best friend.  They were AMAZING!

Strawberry short cake, but using a shortbread sugar cookie!
Well that pretty much wraps up my crazy but fun weekend.  I have all year to rest and prepare for next year's three day party.  Plus I'm pretty sure I have a whole cloth to finish before I get mobbed :)

Before I go, I will leave you with a short video of our mighty Buckhannon Upshur Buccaneer Band.  Somewhere in the mix of kids is a super short trumpet player that may or may not claim me as her mother.





Today I'm liking up with Let's Bee Social, and Main Crush Monday.

19 comments:

Vicki in MN said...

Sounds like you did have a great weekend. Congrats on the ribbon wins-that always makes us feel so special! Love that raffle quilt.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Thanks for the full recap on your weekend! It sounds like fun and congratulations on the well deserved ribbons for your quilts and hard work. :)

Jayne said...

What a action packed, fun filled (and bellies too) weekend! Congrats on the ribbons...three! Yay! That is so cool Tish!!

Sarah@123quilt said...

Congrats on the ribbons!!! Festivals and parades are so much fun and I have to admit that I'm a little jealous of all the fun you had over the weekend!

www.hudsonvalleyquilts.com said...

Congratulations on your "wins." The quilt with dogs is so cute. Looks like a great community event, or should it be "events."

kupton52 said...

Congratulations! Looks like the judges got it right. As a former judge of a few shows it is much harder than people realize. I just may have to put the Strawberry Festival on next year's bucket list. Looks like a great bit of fun. West Virginia has so many nice local festivals during the year. I was a juried exhibitor at the Appalachian Art & Craft Show in Ripley for over 20 years until last year when my schedule just didn't mesh with the show....and now the show has moved from July to September it doesn't fit this year either. The band sounds wonderful. I speak from experience as a former band mother! All 3 of my daughters were in marching band and the oldest was drum major. I recognize the pride in your photos and script. Blessings....so glad you've had a terrific week. Hope the upcoming holiday weekend will be just as enjoyable.

Nancy J said...

Wonderful event, and super good wishes and congrats for your ribbons. Yes, those behind the designs and instructions are there too, Cheryl and Lorna, but you cut, placed, pieced and quilted and so deserve the ribbons. I hope you save them, as I am sure there will be more to come, I like the band, and maybe that trumpet player will go on to do more wonderful trumpeting at other events too.Congrats in capitals!!!

Sandra Walker said...

TWO parades in two days?!!! You are so lucky. I just love the spirit in small towns. Such heart, such soul. I live in one much like yours. :-) SO uber happy for your wins! And to get the Teen Queen award to boot! I didn't get the significance of that award when you first told me. WOWSERS! Your quilting just shines and I'm so glad it was deservedly rewarded and recognized. That raffle quilt is gorgeous and I'm sure Beulah knows what wonderful goodness has come (and is still to come) from her stash.

Stitchin At Home said...

Congratulations on the well deserved ribbons! Your quilting is fabulous on them all. The raffle quilt is wonderful and I'm sure she would approve.

Janice Holton said...

Ah, those were the days! I was in a marching band (flute) but none of my kids went that route. Congratulations on your quilt ribbons! That is awesome! I really love your baby quilt. That one is my favorite. While I was reading your blog, I hopped over to another one of those "you might like . . ." posts and it showed you in the process of deciding what to quilt on something. It looks like you draw your designs on something clear placed over your blocks. What is that?

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Congratulations!! How exciting. It sounds like it was a great weekend all around.

Lara B. said...

Tish I don't think a weekend could be more perfect than that! You know, your town's carnival looks like our town's when we have the Peach Festival every September.
Congratulations of winning awards with your beautiful quilts! And for what you did to create quilts with your friend Courtney's grandmother's stash. That's so beautiful! I really love how you shared the credit with Lorna and Cheryl too. You're fabulous Tish!

Kate said...

Congrats on the ribbons. You made some very stunning quilts. Looks like a great festival.

Judy@Quilt Paradigm said...

Congratulations, Tish! Very deserved wins and what an action packed weekend! Kinda makes me homesick. . . just a little ;)

Now what about that whole cloth??? :) Pins and needles over here I tell you, pins and needles!

Lisa J. said...

Congratulations on all your ribbons! I'm glad you did so well and had so much fun during the festivities.

Lorna McMahon said...

Wow! There is just so much going on here! I feel like I just spent the weekend with you - and wish I really could have been there - in person. Sounds like you had a wonderful time well spent with friends and family. And of course, strawberries! Your quilt awards are well deserved, Tish. You chose the perfect fabrics, precisely pieced and then..... The quilting! Your quilting is always over the top! Congratulations!!!

ann said...

Congrats! I love your version of Dog Gone Cute- so precious!

Cut&Alter said...

What a week you've had ... in sooo many ways! Congratulations on your quilts in the show - what lovely recognition of your hard work. The parades and carnival look amazing aswell!

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts said...

Oh, you ribbon winner you!! CONGRATS! Your weekend sounds amazingly fun, and to top it off with ribbons is a fantastic plus!

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